SanDisk Targets Gamers With New Flash Memory Cards

SanDisk Corporation (NASDAQ:SNDK), the global leader in flash memory cards, today introduced new additions to its gaming card line designed to boost the storage capacity of handheld video game systems.

The 16 gigabyte (GB)1 SanDisk® Memory Stick Micro™ (M2)™ card is compatible with the Sony® PSP® go system; the 32GB SanDisk® Memory Stick PRO Duo™ and Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo™ cards are compatible with the Sony PSP® system; and the 8GB SanDisk® SDHC™ card is compatible with the Nintendo DSi™ system. The cards enable gamers to store more of their movies, music, photos and content downloaded from the Internet without worrying about running out of space or consuming their handheld video game system’s onboard storage.

“Many of the new portable gaming systems offer substantial downloadable content for gamers to enjoy, and our gaming memory cards give consumers the added storage capacity they need,” said Tim Sutton, product marketing manager, gaming, SanDisk. “Downloadable games for the PSP system can consume more than 700 megabytes (MB)2 of memory each, not to mention the large file sizes of movies and TV shows which boost demand for expandable storage.”

“Gamers are increasingly using their handheld systems for non-gaming activities, with nearly half of U.S. PlayStation® Portable owners, for example, playing video or music on the device at least once per week,” said Lewis Ward, research manager, consumer gaming and mobile entertainment, IDC. "Digital content for these platforms is commonly available for download, and it is this evolving delivery mechanism coupled with large file sizes that has transformed memory cards from helpful accessories to something that many teens and young adults use on a regular basis."

SanDisk also introduced a 32GB1 SanDisk Memory Stick PRO Duo card for use in the Sony PSP-3000 and PSP-2000 systems. The card is fully compatible with all Sony products with Memory Stick PRO Duo card slots, including Sony Cyber-shot® cameras and Sony Handycam® camcorders. In addition to expanding storage for PSP system users, SanDisk has introduced a 32GB SanDisk Ultra® Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo™ memory card. This high capacity, high performance card enables photography enthusiasts to take their images to another level with 30MB/sec* read and write speeds. The card is well-suited for shooting in full HD video mode, recording up to 240 minutes** of full HD 1920×1080 pixels at 15 Mbps.

8GB SanDisk SDHC Memory Card for the Nintendo DSi System

SanDisk also unveiled the SanDisk® SDHC™ card for the Nintendo® DSi™ system. Offering up to 8GB1 of removable memory, the card gives gamers a convenient means of saving and quickly transferring their photos between the Nintendo DSi system and a computer. The card also allows gamers to take advantage of AAC music playback and voice recording capabilities. Gamers can load the memory card with their favorite songs or musical creations and listen to them on the system.

Pricing and Availability

The SanDisk Memory Stick Micro M2 gaming card for the Sony PSP go system is shipping now in capacities ranging from 2GB to 16GB1 and is available at retailers in the U.S., Canada, Europe and Japan. The SanDisk Memory Stick PRO Duo card is shipping worldwide now in capacities ranging from 2GB to 32GB1. Exact pricing for the Memory Stick Micro M2, SDHC, Memory Stick PRO Duo and Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo cards will be set by retailers. The 32GB SanDisk Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo card will be shipping worldwide in October. Currently available at North American, Latin American and European retailers, the SanDisk SDHC card for Nintendo DSi system comes in 4GB and 8GB1 capacities.

SanDisk Corporation is the global leader in flash memory cards, from research, manufacturing and product design to consumer branding and retail distribution. SanDisk’s product portfolio includes flash memory cards for mobile phones, digital cameras and camcorders; digital audio/video players; USB flash drives for consumers and the enterprise; embedded memory for mobile devices; and solid state drives for computers. SanDisk is a Silicon Valley-based S&P 500 company, with more than half its sales outside the United States.